The Footscray Mechanics' Institute (FMI) is a historic, independent subscription library and community hub located at 209 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011. Established in 1856, it is one of only a handful of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria that still actively operates its original lending library services today. 🏛️ History & Heritage Working-Class Origins: Originating from a 19th-century worldwide movement, Mechanics' Institutes were built to provide adult education,

NEXT SATURDAY OPENING - 12th September - 10am-1pm Yes we have our next Saturday opening - a great chance to pop in, borrow books, play a round of billiards, and meet the Committee and other members. Look forward to seeing you pop by. PLUS 1 - MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - SEPTEMBER 2026. It's springtime, and it's September, and that means it's PLUS 1 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE time. We ask our FMI members to please pop in and sign up a friend or family member. There's usually a thank you rewa

Len Deighton is an English author who passed away recently at a good age. I read his work many moons ago. So when I saw his obituary I was looking at his books in FMIL and found that the spy novels I knew he wrote were just part of it. I came across his book Fighter thru our displayed books and read it with enjoyment. Deigton was at one point in the RAF himself and I grew up with men who served in RAF in the Second World War - 1939 to 1945. The air war over, mostly, southe

The FMI Library will not be hosting a library event this Friday 28th August, due to influenza.

FRIDAY CLOSURE to Members July 31st - MELBOURNE RARE BOOK WEEK Event - Astounding Worlds. Advising members we are closed to regular borrowing on Friday 31st July as we are hosting the Melbourne Rare Book Week 'Astounding Worlds" science-fiction panel discussion. The event is ticketed and sold out, so you will need a ticket to gain admittance to the library. Thanks to our members who got in early and secured a place, I've heard the prelim planning and I know you're in for a re

What titles does the FMI Library hold in its collection? Follow the link to our online catalogue to find out: https://bookmark.central.sa.edu.au/fmi.htm New titles added on a weekly basis. Happy reading!

NICK DRAKE - talk - exploring his three studio albums - FMI Reading Room - 1pm. 40 mins + 10 min Q+A. FRIDAY 26th June. Members welcome - no need to book.

Next FMI Event: NICK DRAKE - From "Five Leaves Left" to "Pink Moon" Our next event on Friday 26th June, librarian Cameron Borg will be presenting a short lecture on the three studio albums that make up the recording legacy of UK folksinger Nick Drake. For many years almost forgotten, a new generation of musicians have found these three striking albums from Nick Drake to be inspiring works of creative genius. Where: FMI Reading Room When: Friday 26th June 2026 Time: 1pm-1.45 p

Q. The Bryant Park location of the New York Public Library features Patience and Fortitude, two large marble statues of what animal? Answer: Lion With thanks to New York Public Library.

Friday 31st July 2026 - 1pm MELBOURNE RARE BOOK WEEK event. Sci-Fi panel. Bookings open now through this external non-FMI link: Pounce fast if you want a seat - strictly limited tickets. https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/

Dear Members You may have noticed many changes in the library lately. Changes in location of books etc. our librarian has undertaken extra work to develop our collection. "A library should be like a flowing stream constantly in movement". The Footscray Mechanics Institute Library (FMIL) has been in its current Footscray site since 1913. Earliest records show FMIL as functioning in 1856! Currently it is open Monday to Friday 10am -4pm. The library has 20,000 plus titles. It

The FMI Library is proud to present Mary Healy launching her book "Heffernan of the Shamrock" in our Reading Room on Fri 29th May @ 1pm. As usual the event is FREE to members, with an opportunity to purchase a signed copy from the author.

Reminder to Members - Yes! We are open Saturday 18th April from 10am-1pm. A great chance to borrow some books for the weekend, and renew your membership for another year (if you haven't already done so).

Korung Vale Mechanics' Institute, Victoria Pic (c) Angela Philipoom 2025

The FMI is happy to present it's next free lecture to members on Friday 24th April 2026. The FMI librarian will take a look at the life and works of Beat author Jack Kerouac. Kerouac is best known for his classic novel "On The Road" , but he was more prolific than he is generally given credit for. Jack Kerouac published 14 works of fiction in his lifetime , including his famous 1957 novel " On the Road" , and authored at least 16 other books (novels, poetry, and sketches) tha

FMI EVENT - JAPAN - Friday 27th March - 1pm Reading Room FMI library will be running a workshop on the Japanese literature in the library collection as part of our last Friday of the month events. This will focus on Japanese literature translated into English only. The event explains some of the history of Japanese literature and finishes with the work of prize-winning authors. Event by Neil. Fri 27/3/2026 1pm FMI Reading Room FREE to members - no need to book

FMI Memberships renewal are due March 2026. Next time you're in grabbing your books, please check if your 2026 membership fees are due. Still only $10 p.a. and payable by cash or EFTPOS.

Saturday 14th February - FMI Library open for members - 10am-1pm Great chance to swap over your books for the weekend, especially if you work 9-5 on weekdays Please support this opening, as it's being trialled and will continue subject to support it receives